Anyone have any experience using a Soda Stream or similar device on the playa? I'm trying to figure out ways to cut down on bulk, plus I like to make my own tonic and ginger beer syrup for gin & tonics and Dark & Stormys.

I have friends that live by those things.. I can still hear the "honk honk" of them ringing in my ears.

To me though.. it would be extra bulk, not less. You still have to carry the machine plus the cartridges plus the water to make it with.. vs just carrying the bottles of soda water in the first place. I fail to see how this cuts down on anything.

Also, FWIW.. Illy Dilly tried the whole tonic syrup mix with soda water this year with pretty nasty results I'm told. Sounds like all in all it's better to just bring the stuff in bottles.

I have friends that live by those things.. I can still hear the "honk honk" of them ringing in my ears.

To me though.. it would be extra bulk, not less. You still have to carry the machine plus the cartridges plus the water to make it with.. vs just carrying the bottles of soda water in the first place. I fail to see how this cuts down on anything.

Also, FWIW.. Illy Dilly tried the whole tonic syrup mix with soda water this year with pretty nasty results I'm told. Sounds like all in all it's better to just bring the stuff in bottles.

Maybe not bulk, but for simplicity sake,I was thinking that I can just carry water and booze and mix everything else I need. I also have a recipe for tonic that I like already.

As for why I asked, carbonation is dependent largely on temperature, and I've never used it at anything other than room temp.

VultureChow wrote:As for why I asked, carbonation is dependent largely on temperature, and I've never used it at anything other than room temp.

Hmm.. I did not know that. Remember that the air temp on the playa under shade structure really is not all that extreme especially for foods and beverages that have had the chill night air the night before to even them out. They pretty much kind of even out to a room temperature more or less. It's when things sit in pure sun than they get stupidly hot..

VultureChow wrote:As for why I asked, carbonation is dependent largely on temperature, and I've never used it at anything other than room temp.

Hmm.. I did not know that. Remember that the air temp on the playa under shade structure really is not all that extreme especially for foods and beverages that have had the chill night air the night before to even them out. They pretty much kind of even out to a room temperature more or less. It's when things sit in pure sun than they get stupidly hot..

Hey.. try it!

The more I think about it, the answer might be to simply buy seltzer in addition to water and then use that to make tonic and ginger beer. Since this would be my first time, the less untried technology the better. I should try to make it as simple as possible as I will be flying in from NJ, and buying water, perishables and stove fuel in Reno.

VultureChow wrote:The more I think about it, the answer might be to simply buy seltzer in addition to water and then use that to make tonic and ginger beer. Since this would be my first time, the less untried technology the better. I should try to make it as simple as possible as I will be flying in from NJ, and buying water, perishables and stove fuel in Reno.

THIS.

Yes.. keep it simple.. especially for your first year. As has been mentioned before, whatever your expectations are of what the event is like.. you will most likely be very surprised and/or wrong. Keep it simple your first year. Don't worry about trying to go all out and bring musical instruments and stereos and seltzer water makers or 9 different costume/outfits.. ESPECIALLY if you are flying in. I did alllllllll of the above my first year.. and yes.. I fly in to the event and do my buying in Reno as well.

Your first year you need to concentrate on the nuts and bolts. Your shelter, your food, your little shit like rolling papers/lighters/flashlights/etc. Leave the extravagance and crazy ideas for the second year when you have a better idea of what to put your energy towards.. especially if you are flying in and space/luggage is at a premium.

..or don't take any of this advice and buy tons of stuff and throw it all at the wall and see what sticks I'm coming from a frugal viewpoint, myself..

I like your approach. WE, too, to the point of ridiculousness perhaps (speaking of us, not you btw) want to enjoy Good Drinks and Good Food "out there" and by which I mean, The Good Stuff (Booze) with the mixers et al, done right; and that also goes for Food done right, cooked well, and hearty/nutritious/unprocessed as much as realistically possible (we eat rather macrobiotically truth be told here in Defaultia).

So: I applaud you. : )

'I have come here to chew bubblegum and kick ass... and I'm all out of bubblegum'

I have one at home that I love and use all the time, and this last year I brought one to the playa. Fantastic thing to have out there! The only cooler I use is one of those 5-gallon water jugs that you see at construction sites and on the back of work trucks, which I keep filled with ice, so I always have cold water. Bubble some of it up, add whatever you'd like for flavor, and you're good to go.

I love diet soda, but the cans are big and bulky, plus they generate a lot of MOOP. One small bottle of diet cola syrup, and I had plenty for the whole week without having to keep the cans cold. I also brought italian soda syrups - cherry, lime, and bacon. Yes, they make a bacon syrup! Italian sodas in the heat of the day were absolutely lovely. Someone mentioned that the carbonic acid helps neutralize playa dust, which is why carbonated beverages taste so good out there. Don't know if it's true, but they sure are refreshing.

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I like my coffee like I like my women: strong, earthy and full bodied!